Statement - September 2001

Annual Conference Reminder

43rd Property Tax Institute is October 29-30, 2001
Don't forget to register for the 43rd Institute on Property Taxation held with the Comptroller's Property Tax Division 23rd Annual Conference for tax professionals and taxpayers. The conference is the joint effort of the Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) School of Public Affairs, the State Comptroller's Property Tax Division, and property tax associations.

Set for Monday and Tuesday, October 29 and 30, the conference site is the Thompson Conference Center on the University of Texas campus at Red River and Dean Keeton (26th) Streets in Austin. The conference dates are selected for available meeting and hotel facilities and for avoiding conflicting dates with other property tax seminars. All conference sessions and workshops will be held in the Thompson Conference Center.

The $100 registration fee covers the cost of the rooms for the joint conference general sessions and workshops, refreshments, and handouts. Please send the fee with the registration form to the Office of Conference and Training at the LBJ School at the address listed on the form.

Time Information

Registration will be in the lobby of the Thompson Conference Center between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. on Monday morning, October 29. General sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday and 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 30. Workshop sessions will be from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Monday and from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday. A closing general session on Tuesday ends around 12:45 p.m.

Hotel Arrangements

The Omni Austin Hotel South Park has set aside a room block for conference participants at the preferential room rate of $70 (single) and $95 (double). The hotel is located at 4140 Governor’s Row near the intersection of Interstate 35 South and Ben White Boulevard. The hotel’s telephone number is 512/448-2222. The hotel fax number is 512/442-8028. The special rate will be offered until October 7, or until the room block is filled. Please tell the reservation clerk that you are a program participant to obtain the special rate.

Special Assistance

The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs staff wants to assist people with special needs. Please indicate on the registration form if a person requires assistance. The staff asks for notice by October 16.

Refund Policy

If pre-registered but unable to attend, a person is entitled to a full refund if the LBJ School receives cancellation notice at least three working days before the conference. The refund must be requested in writing, stating the social security/tax I.D. number of the refund recipient. Refunds will be processed after the completion of the conference. Partial refunds or fee payments cannot be accepted or processed. There will be no refunds for late cancellations and no-shows. The LBJ School cannot be responsible for any expenses incurred before a person received a confirmation of registration from the LBJ School office.

Monday, October 29, 2001

7:30 a.m. Registration

8:30 a.m. OPENING GENERAL SESSION

Welcome and Introduction

Property Tax Changes: Overview of the 77th Legislative Session
This opening session will highlight the recent legislative session as it applies to property tax legislation. What legislation passed that will affect property tax and what did not impact the property tax system?
9:15 a.m. The Gift of Honor: The Leader's Role in Praise & Recognition

This session will enlarge your understanding of what makes communication powerful and effective. It will challenge you with a new perspective on how to motivate others to excellence. You will laugh, cry, participate, and leave with the ability to motivate and influence others.

10:45 a.m. Break

11:10 a.m. 2000 Census: Texas Demographics.

This session offers an overview of the 2000 census and how it will affect the property tax system. What areas of the state are growth areas? What areas contain a large population of retired homeowners?

12:00 p.m. Lunch Break

1:30 p.m. CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS I

Taxable Leaseholds: How to Appraise
This workshop will explain Tax Code Sections 23.12 and 25.07 and discuss appraisal district actions.

Mobile Homes: Collection Changes for 2001 and Forward
This workshop will include a question & answer session on filing tax liens against mobile homes as well as an explanation of the 2001 changes affecting mobile homes.

Prior Year Corrections: ARBs and Chief Appraiser
What types of changes and corrections can be made to adjust inaccuracies that occurred in the past? What are the 2001 legal changes?

Conflict Resolution
The ability to resolve conflict is the most important asset for managers, supervisors, and members of any team. What does it take? Is there a specific set of skills? This workshop will explore different approaches to resolving conflict.

Competitive Bidding and RFOs: What is the Process?
This discussion will include the assistance that can be gained from the General Services Commission, CAD practices and samples, and collection office examples.

You've Got Notice: Changes and Samples
A helter-skelter variety of mailings from the tax office and appraisal district office can result in confusion and a loss of credibility to the public. A panel will present samples of notices, applications, and letters to property owners.

3:00 p.m. Break

3:30 p.m. CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS II

Open Forum - Collection Issues
Representatives from the Comptroller's Property Tax Division will discuss future changes and other issues relating to property tax collection. Areas will include refunds, payment options, exemption applications, and electronic tax payments.

Homestead Exemptions: Where Are We Now?
This session will review current issues including the over-65 tax limitations and recent legislative changes affecting homestead exemptions.

Economic Development: Abatements and Other Changes
New laws address property tax abatement and economic development areas. What are the new changes and how will their implementation affect local tax rolls?

Comptroller's Property Value Study & Appeals
Staff members who are working on the Property Value Study will discuss current and future changes and will be available to answer questions about the study and appeals process.

Oil & Gas Forecasting: Value Changes in the Future
Experienced appraisers will review appraisal issues and discuss what to expect in the future.

Safety: In the Field and In the Office
Personal safety is of growing concern to the tax community. What are some tips that will provide a safer environment both in the field and in offices? This will include a discussion of safety & security regulations.

5:00 p.m. Adjourn for the Day

Tuesday, October 30, 2001

8:00 a.m. GENERAL SESSION

Utility Deregulation: We're Not California
This session will look at changes in utility regulations and the impact on Texas consumers and appraised values.

9:10 a.m. Break

9:30 a.m. CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS III

Property Classification: How to Code Properties
What changes have been made to the Comptroller's 2001 Property Classification Guide and what issues may be expected in 2002?

Electric Utilities: Appraisal Changes
Appraisal issues with electric utilities will be reviewed, along with expectations for 2002.

Delinquent Tax Lawsuits: Changes by 77th Legislative Session
Delinquent tax attorneys will explain the 2001 changes and answer questions about lien filings.

Truth in Taxation: Where did Rollbacks Go?
Beginning with a look at the history of rollback elections, this session will bring us into the present with current practices and issues.

Exemptions Other than Homestead: Changes for 2001
This workshop provides a look at legislative changes for 2002. How does this affect leased motor vehicles? Information will also be provided on implementing new and revised exemption procedures.

Team Building: How to Be a Good Team Member
Many workshops are geared toward managers who will form and lead a team, but little attention is given to what team members should expect and contribute to make the team work. Experienced facilitators from the LBJ School's Governor's Center for Management Development will offer skills on building and maintaining an effective team.

11:00 a.m. Break

11:20 a.m. CLOSING GENERAL SESSION

School Property Tax: Reaching Its Limit
Legal issues have surfaced that will have a definite impact on school finance. What are these issues, how can they be handled, and what concerns do they raise for the future?

12:45 p.m. Adjourn the 43rd Property Tax Institute/ 23rd Annual Conference

Monday, October 29, 2001
7:30 a.m.	Registration
8:30 a.m.	OPENING GENERAL SESSION
	*Welcome and Introduction* *Property Tax Changes: Overview of the 77th Legislative Session* This opening session will highlight the recent legislative session as it applies to property tax legislation. What legislation passed that will affect property tax and what did not impact the property tax system?
9:15 a.m.	The Gift of Honor: The Leader's Role in Praise & Recognition
	This session will enlarge your understanding of what makes communication powerful and effective. It will challenge you with a new perspective on how to motivate others to excellence. You will laugh, cry, participate, and leave with the ability to motivate and influence others.
10:45 a.m.	Break
11:10 a.m.	2000 Census: Texas Demographics.
	This session offers an overview of the 2000 census and how it will affect the property tax system. What areas of the state are growth areas? What areas contain a large population of retired homeowners?
12:00 p.m.	Lunch Break
1:30 p.m.	CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS I
	*Taxable Leaseholds: How to Appraise* This workshop will explain Tax Code Sections 23.12 and 25.07 and discuss appraisal district actions. *Mobile Homes: Collection Changes for 2001 and Forward* This workshop will include a question & answer session on filing tax liens against mobile homes as well as an explanation of the 2001 changes affecting mobile homes. *Prior Year Corrections: ARBs and Chief Appraiser* What types of changes and corrections can be made to adjust inaccuracies that occurred in the past? What are the 2001 legal changes? *Conflict Resolution* The ability to resolve conflict is the most important asset for managers, supervisors, and members of any team. What does it take? Is there a specific set of skills? This workshop will explore different approaches to resolving conflict. *Competitive Bidding and RFOs: What is the Process?* This discussion will include the assistance that can be gained from the General Services Commission, CAD practices and samples, and collection office examples. *You've Got Notice: Changes and Samples* A helter-skelter variety of mailings from the tax office and appraisal district office can result in confusion and a loss of credibility to the public. A panel will present samples of notices, applications, and letters to property owners.
3:00 p.m.	Break
3:30 p.m.	CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS II *Open Forum - Collection Issues* Representatives from the Comptroller's Property Tax Division will discuss future changes and other issues relating to property tax collection. Areas will include refunds, payment options, exemption applications, and electronic tax payments. *Homestead Exemptions: Where Are We Now?* This session will review current issues including the over-65 tax limitations and recent legislative changes affecting homestead exemptions. *Economic Development: Abatements and Other Changes* New laws address property tax abatement and economic development areas. What are the new changes and how will their implementation affect local tax rolls? *Comptroller's Property Value Study & Appeals* Staff members who are working on the Property Value Study will discuss current and future changes and will be available to answer questions about the study and appeals process. *Oil & Gas Forecasting: Value Changes in the Future* Experienced appraisers will review appraisal issues and discuss what to expect in the future. *Safety: In the Field and In the Office* Personal safety is of growing concern to the tax community. What are some tips that will provide a safer environment both in the field and in offices? This will include a discussion of safety & security regulations.
5:00 p.m.	Adjourn for the Day

Tuesday, October 30, 2001
8:00 a.m.	GENERAL SESSION Utility Deregulation: We're Not California This session will look at changes in utility regulations and the impact on Texas consumers and appraised values.
9:10 a.m.	Break
9:30 a.m.	CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS III
	*Property Classification: How to Code Properties* What changes have been made to the Comptroller's 2001 Property Classification Guide and what issues may be expected in 2002? *Electric Utilities: Appraisal Changes* Appraisal issues with electric utilities will be reviewed, along with expectations for 2002. *Delinquent Tax Lawsuits: Changes by 77th Legislative Session* Delinquent tax attorneys will explain the 2001 changes and answer questions about lien filings. *Truth in Taxation: Where did Rollbacks Go?* Beginning with a look at the history of rollback elections, this session will bring us into the present with current practices and issues. *Exemptions Other than Homestead: Changes for 2001* This workshop provides a look at legislative changes for 2002. How does this affect leased motor vehicles? Information will also be provided on implementing new and revised exemption procedures. *Team Building: How to Be a Good Team Member* Many workshops are geared toward managers who will form and lead a team, but little attention is given to what team members should expect and contribute to make the team work. Experienced facilitators from the LBJ School's Governor's Center for Management Development will offer skills on building and maintaining an effective team.
11:00 a.m.	Break
11:20 a.m.	CLOSING GENERAL SESSION
	*School Property Tax: Reaching Its Limit* Legal issues have surfaced that will have a definite impact on school finance. What are these issues, how can they be handled, and what concerns do they raise for the future?
12:45 p.m.	Adjourn the 43rd Property Tax Institute/ 23rd Annual Conference